Boston Drug Crime Attorney

Arrested? Call Us Today – (617) 500-0252

If you’ve been charged with a drug crime, you most likely are facing a serious jail sentence. You urgently need to work with a trial-tested advocate who is dedicated to protecting your liberty and your future. At Brad Bailey Law, we will actively focus on achieving a favorable outcome for you.

Why Choose Our Boston Drug Crime Lawyer?

• 35+ years of experience in state & federal courts
• Included among list of New England Super Lawyers®
• MA Top 10 by The National Academy of Criminal Defense Attorneys
• Featured expert on NPR, FOX25, CNN, 48 Hours, and Today

Schedule your free consultation today!

Creative & Insightful Drug Crime Defense

Act now, and our Boston drug crime lawyer can start crafting your defense for cases involving:

• Possession
• Distribution
• Trafficking

If you have been charged with a drug crime or would like to discuss a legal matter involving a drug crime, please let us know straightaway. It’s extremely important to have defense counsel by your side as early as possible in the process.

Penalties for Drug Crimes

In the state of Massachusetts, the penalties you face for a drug crime conviction can be severe. The two main factors that affect how severe your penalties will be are the type of drug and how much of it was in your possession. If you are convicted, you could be facing large fines and substantial jail time. This is why you need to contact an experienced Boston drug crime attorney from Brad Bailey Law right away to get started on your defense!

Federal Defense Attorneys

Federal drug offenses are prosecuted under Title 21 of the United States Code. As with many state drug offenses, the penalties are usually dictated by the nature of the substance(s) involved and the weight and/or quantity. Convictions for distribution and possession with intent to distribute and conspiracy are determined through drug conversion tables in the federal sentencing guidelines that arithmetically calculate advisory sentencing ranges.

However, statutory mandatory minimum prison sentences may also apply. For example, distribution of 1 kg or more of heroin or 5 kg or more of cocaine requires imposition of a mandatory 10 year prison sentence. Possession of 50 grams or more of crack cocaine, 100 grams or more of methamphetamine and 1,000 kilograms or more of marijuana also require minimum sentences of 10 years.

Defending Against Drug Offenses in MA

Most Massachusetts state drug offenses are prosecuted under Chapter 94C of the Massachusetts General Laws. The penalties vary depending on the nature of the offense, the criminal history of the offender and/or the type and quantity of the controlled substance at issue. While penalties are usually dictated by weight, substance, and proof of an intent to distribute, first time offenders do face significant jail time even if convicted of straight possession.

For example:

• First time offenders convicted of possessing heroin can face up to 2 years in jail.
• First time offenders convicted of possessing cocaine face up to 1 year.
• Second convictions for each offense result in enhanced penalties of (a mandatory) 2½ – 5 years in prison for possessing heroin.
• Second convictions for each offense result in enhanced penalties of (a mandatory) up to 2 years in jail for possessing cocaine.

The Importance of Hiring an Attorney Familiar With Federal Law

Federal drug charges are defended similarly to the way state drug charges are defended, with litigation strategy and actual defense theories being interchangeable. However, familiarity with both the United States Sentencing Guidelines, applicable enhancements, relevant conduct considerations, post-release penalties and available sentencing relief mechanisms is critical, as is understanding the applicability of federal narcotics charges to the issue of pre-trial release or detention. Unlike state court, sentencing entrapment remains a viable argument in federal court.

Call (617) 500-0252 or message us online for a confidential consultation with a skilled criminal defense lawyer.